Sveum expects to have DeJesus leading off for Cubs

February 23, 2012|By Paul Sullivan, Tribune reporter

MESA, Ariz.— Manager Dale Sveum doesn’t have his batting order down, but two of the spots appear to be taken.

“Being realistic, I’ll probably start with (David) DeJesus leading off, (Bryan) LaHair hitting fourth, and right now after that I don’t really know right now,” he said. “It might be (Alfonso) Soriano hitting fourth. I’ll sit down and we’ll iron that all out when we get a little closer here in about 4-5 days.”

LaHair was fine with that, saying the clean-up spot is where he’s batted most of his career. Sveum’s biggest challenge is whom to bat in the No. 3 hole. Marlon Byrd is hoping to return to his former spot, but Starlin Castro may be ready to move into the 3-hole after a brief and unsuccessful stint there in 2011.

Sveum also reiterated that LaHair is his first baseman, and won’t have to take any fly balls in the outfield in Cactus League play case first base prospect Anthony Rizzo has a hot spring.

“Right now it’s a concrete plan to let Rizzo have another season in Triple-A and let him be comfortable instead of moving him up and down and all that stuff,” Sveum said. “It’s Bryan LaHair’s job. It’s not his to lose. He’s earned the right to have it, and he’s earned the right from me to have a lot of patience too if things aren’t getting off to a good start.”

As for Thursday’s main event, most of the team stopped by a small field at Fitch Park to watch the first eight matches of the inaugural bunting tournament. Casey Coleman, Jeff Beliveau, Lendy Castillo, Chris Rusin, Rafael Dolis, Dae-Eun Rhee, Trey McNutt and Scott Maine were the first-round winners of the bracket consisting of younger pitchers.

The first-round continues Friday. The marquee match-up of Sveum against Kerry Wood will likely to be the biggest draw, and there’s been no firm schedule announced.

“I’ve got a tough draw,” Sveum said. “I’ve got Woody in the first draw. I’ll be ready. I’ll practice a few times. Our match aint for 4-5 days, but I’ll be ready.”

The infield is dissected into areas and specific points are given according to where the ball lands. Both Tony Campana and Darwin Barney have claimed to be the favorites, and Barney has plans for the prize money. No matter who wins, the poor fundamentals by Cubs hitters should improve.

“That’s part of the gig,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of guys out here early in the morning and practicing. Guys do a lot of things, making sure their techniques are right. It adds a lot to the whole game… It’s nice to have the fun with it. That breaks up things a little too, especially the starting pitchers who are going to be bunting (in real games). They start really grinding on it and understand the mechanics have to be right to pull off some of the better bunts.”